Budget 2025 is welcomed as a foundation for Canada’s nation-building, productivity growth, and investment attraction, with an emphasis on rapid, effective delivery to turn ideas into tangible impact.

The budget aligns with the Public Policy Forum’s priorities by boosting talent pipelines with a substantial $1.7 billion and pursuing a national approach to workforce development that links education to the workplace and leverages humans alongside AI.

Overall, Budget 2025 is viewed as a catalyst to attract private capital and advance a coherent, growth-oriented national strategy across sectors.

Budget measures are designed to attract private capital, including targeted energy incentives, a $10 billion expansion of the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and strategic investments in critical minerals, transportation, enabling infrastructure, AI, and talent.

Key sectors highlighted include energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, housing, defence, the Arctic, digital and AI assets, with prudent day-to-day spending aimed at building a long-term growth trajectory to attract capital.

Funding of $925.6 million for sovereign AI infrastructure aims to boost compute capacity for research, supporting health data initiatives and positioning Canada as a life sciences hub with anticipated health and financial dividends.

PPF priorities include the Build Big Things agenda (SMRs, LNG, mining), Build Big Talent (workforce skills and immigration policy), and democracy/governance work on viable local news models and social cohesion to underpin broad growth.

A new Major Projects Office, empowered by Budget 2025, aims to accelerate financing, regulatory processes, and Indigenous economic participation for large nation-building projects, in line with the Build Big Things framework.

Local news funding of $38.4 million over three years is seen as essential for democracy, social cohesion, and place-based economic development.

Execution is essential: a shared vision, clear strategic goals, robust intergovernmental and Indigenous partnerships, and rigorous progress tracking to ensure commitments translate into results.

There is urgency to implement reforms quickly to stay competitive with rival nations and maximize benefits for all Canadians.

New investments in life sciences, including a $1 billion Venture and Growth Capital Catalyst Initiative and expanded SR&ED tax incentives, align with the PPF’s policy work and reports.